Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 96, NWS Mobile, AL

July 18, 2026Covington County, Crenshaw County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 18, 2026, 8:25 PM CDT for Covington County, Crenshaw County, Alabama. It was in force for 32 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 18, 2026, 8:25 PM CDT (01:25 UTC)
Expired
Jul 18, 2026, 8:57 PM CDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Covington County, AL, Crenshaw County, AL

The radar

The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:27 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 182 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2026-07-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1541 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2026-07-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 20 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1541 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1357 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
20 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
63 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

320 
WUUS54 KMOB 190125
SVRMOB
ALC039-041-190215-
/O.NEW.KMOB.SV.W.0096.260719T0125Z-260719T0215Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mobile AL
825 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southern Crenshaw County in south central Alabama...
  Northeastern Covington County in south central Alabama...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 824 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Rutledge, or
  4 miles west of Luverne, moving south at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Luverne, Brantley, Rutledge, and Dozier.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3153 8620 3141 8620 3144 8656 3152 8652
      3153 8650 3158 8650 3166 8647 3166 8645
      3171 8645 3175 8643 3173 8623 3153 8617
TIME...MOT...LOC 0124Z 009DEG 20KT 3170 8634 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

RD
1 follow-up statement
181 
WWUS54 KMOB 190157
SVSMOB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
857 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ALC039-041-190207-
/O.CAN.KMOB.SV.W.0096.000000T0000Z-260719T0215Z/
Crenshaw AL-Covington AL-
857 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN CRENSHAW AND
NORTHEASTERN COVINGTON COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, gusty winds 
to around 40 to 50 mph are still possible with this thunderstorm.

LAT...LON 3153 8620 3141 8620 3144 8656 3152 8652
      3153 8650 3158 8650 3166 8647 3166 8645
      3171 8645 3175 8643 3173 8623 3153 8617
TIME...MOT...LOC 0155Z 009DEG 20KT 3152 8637 

$$

RD

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 18, 6:53 PM CDT, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 653 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026
  • Scattered storms expected each afternoon and evening this weekend into the coming week with gusty downburst winds being the main threat.
  • Warming trend is possible next week with the heat index potentially soaring to 105-111 across portions of the area.
  • There is a moderate (40%) probability of tropical development over the northern Gulf over the next 7 days.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 6:53 PM CDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mobile AL
653 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...New UPDATE, AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 653 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

  - Scattered storms expected each afternoon and evening this
    weekend into the coming week with gusty downburst winds being
    the main threat.

  - Warming trend is possible next week with the heat index
    potentially soaring to 105-111 across portions of the area.

  - There is a moderate (40%) probability of tropical development
    over the northern Gulf over the next 7 days.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 653 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

Isolated to scattered storms are beginning to wane as we approach
sunset. The forecast remains on track and no updates are needed.
SS/97

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 151 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

Through Tuesday...An upper low over the northeastern Gulf meanders
westward over the northern Gulf as an upper high over the western
tropical Atlantic builds west over the Caribbean and Southeast.
Small differences in the path of this low and its associated surface
low are leading to various probabilities in the development of a
possible tropical system over the northern Gulf. The further south
of the northern Gulf the surface low passes, the greater the chance
of a tropical system developing. Guidance varies in the
path/development/speed. As of the 2pm update, NHC is advertising a
40% chance of developing into a tropical system as it meanders east.
The current forecast is based upon the upper low taking a west-
northwest track, with the associated surface low taking a more
northwesterly path, moving inland over the western Florida
panhandle. With this track, deep layer moisture generally remains
over the forecast area and nearby, with a quick band of low moisture
moving over the forecast area Sunday night. The upper system
weakens, with most guidance advertising an upper trough over the
northern Gulf by Tuesday evening. Highest PoPs remain south of the
coast through the short term. Over land, scattered to numerous
showers and thunderstorms see a bit of a downward trend as best
instability decreases with increasing cloud cover as the main
circulation moves over the forecast area. Enough instability is
present (MLCapes rising to around 2500J/kg each day) for strong to
severe storms. Very weak wind shear will help to lean any storms
towards a pulse type severe.

With the better up subsidence over the Lower Mississippi River
Valley, combined with increased cloud cover over eastern portions of
the forecast area, a west to east gradient in high temperatures is
expected. High temperatures ranging from the upper 90s over and west
of the Mississippi/Alabama state line, with low 90s east are
expected. Low temperatures in the low to mid 70s expected. Heat
indices creep upwards into the coming week, with Heat Advisory
levels expected along and west of the Mississippi/Alabama state line
Sunday, west of the Tombigbee River by Tuesday.

Wednesday on, the upper low/trough mixes out, with an upper ridge
over the Southern Plains building east over the Southeast. PoPs
decrease as upper subsidence increases, with a weak cold front
bringing a bit drier airmass over the Southeast mid week. Even with
the increasing upper subsidence, cooler air moves over the forecast
area the end of the week behind the front, with temperatures
dropping below seasonal norms. High Heat Indices continue to be a
problem for the forecast area Wednesday, dropping below Advisory
levels for Thursday.

Taking a look at the Rip Current risk on area beaches, a light to at
times moderate offshore flow will limit onshore swell, with a Low
Risk of Rip Currents into the early part of the week. Increasing
onshore swell and an increasing tidal range will increase the Rip
Risk  to Moderate to High Wednesday on.
/16

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 653 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

Winds are decreasing as we approach sunset and will prevail
northerly to northeasterly at 5-10 knots by morning. There are some
indications of isolated to scattered showers and storms around
daybreak mainly for our counties in the northwest Florida panhandle,
so a PROB30 remains for the KPNS and KJKA terminals. Scattered to
numerous showers and storms develop tomorrow afternoon. These storms
are accompanied by gusty winds and drops of cigs/vis to MVFR and
even locally IFR within the strongest storms. SS/97

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 151 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

A developing system over the Gulf will bring increasing
flow, mainly south of the coast into the coming week. A Small Craft
Advisory may be needed in the coming week.
/16

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Mobile      75  96  75  96 /  30  50  40  60
Pensacola   77  93  77  94 /  60  70  30  60
Destin      77  91  77  91 /  70  60  30  70
Evergreen   73  93  72  93 /  30  60  40  50
Waynesboro  75  98  75  97 /  10  20  30  30
Camden      74  91  74  92 /  10  50  40  30
Crestview   73  93  72  94 /  70  60  30  70

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...None.
FL...None.
MS...Heat Advisory from 10 AM to 7 PM CDT Sunday for MSZ067-075-076-
     078-079.

GM...None.
&&

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 18, 5:13 PM CDT, 3 hours 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
513 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ALZ053-055-182300-
Clarke AL-Monroe AL-
513 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL MONROE AND EAST
CENTRAL CLARKE COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM CDT...

At 513 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Whatley, or 9 miles southeast of Grove Hill, moving south at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Whatley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3174 8773 3172 8753 3138 8751 3143 8786
TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 015DEG 10KT 3162 8766

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

RD
Local storm report, Jul 18, 5:24 PM CDT, 3 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mobile AL
524 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0513 PM     Marine Tstm Wind 5 ESE Destin            30.39N 86.41W
07/18/2026  M41 MPH          Okaloosa           FL   Mesonet

            Mesonet station XCBS reports a gust of 41
            mph.

&&

SS
Special weather statement, Jul 18, 5:52 PM CDT, 2 hours 33 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
552 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ALZ264-266-FLZ201-202-182345-
Baldwin Coastal AL-Baldwin Central AL-Escambia Inland FL-
Escambia Coastal FL-
552 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BALDWIN AND SOUTH
CENTRAL ESCAMBIA COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM CDT...

At 552 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Gonzalez, moving south at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
West Pensacola, Gonzalez, Orange Beach, Lillian, Myrtle Grove, and
Perdido Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3070 8755 3069 8728 3030 8728 3025 8761
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 008DEG 21KT 3059 8741

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RD
Special weather statement, Jul 18, 6:13 PM CDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
613 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ALZ262-264-FLZ201-190000-
Baldwin Central AL-Baldwin Inland AL-Escambia Inland FL-
613 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL BALDWIN AND
NORTHWESTERN ESCAMBIA COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM CDT...

At 612 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southwest of Bratt, or 10 miles south of Atmore, moving south
at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of east central
Baldwin and northwestern Escambia Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3094 8764 3093 8741 3061 8738 3064 8772
TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 004DEG 18KT 3087 8751

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

RD
Special weather statement, Jul 18, 7:07 PM CDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
707 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ALZ058-060-190045-
Covington AL-Crenshaw AL-
707 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN CRENSHAW AND
NORTHEASTERN COVINGTON COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM CDT...

At 707 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Glenwood, or 4 miles southeast of Luverne, moving southwest at 15
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Luverne, Brantley, Dozier, and Glenwood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3153 8616 3153 8620 3135 8620 3150 8651
      3177 8625 3171 8615 3166 8615 3166 8616
      3165 8616 3163 8618 3162 8618 3162 8615
      3154 8614
TIME...MOT...LOC 0007Z 029DEG 12KT 3166 8622

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

RD
Special weather statement, Jul 18, 7:41 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
741 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ALZ057-058-190130-
Butler AL-Crenshaw AL-
741 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BUTLER AND NORTHERN
CRENSHAW COUNTIES THROUGH 830 PM CDT...

At 741 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Naftel, or 7 miles southwest of Meadville, moving south at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Petrey and Highland Home.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3181 8655 3197 8649 3197 8640 3203 8641
      3204 8640 3205 8641 3205 8630 3197 8630
      3197 8620 3196 8618 3189 8617 3179 8620
      3179 8615 3172 8615
TIME...MOT...LOC 0041Z 010DEG 16KT 3200 8625

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

RD

The office that day

Everything else NWS Mobile, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 18, 7:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBCrenshaw38 min
Jul 18, 7:41 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBCrenshaw49 min
Jul 18, 7:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBButler, Crenshaw52 min
Jul 18, 8:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBCovington49 min
Jul 19, 10:11 AM CDTTropical Storm WatchMOBBaldwin, Mobile48 hr
Jul 19, 12:27 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB78 min
Jul 19, 1:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBBaldwin40 min
Jul 19, 2:19 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBBaldwin41 min
Jul 19, 2:53 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBBaldwin37 min
Jul 19, 2:54 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB45 min
Jul 19, 4:12 PM CDTRip Current StatementMOBBaldwin, Mobile5 days
Jul 19, 4:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBBaldwin46 min
Jul 19, 5:25 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB50 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.